Netball: Cometz stand strong

By JULIE ASH

Some are calling for them to be thrown out of the competition, but Roxanne Chatterton and the Counties Manukau Cometz are standing strong, determined to prove they are worthy of a place in the national league.

The Cometz' win over Wellington's Capital Shakers in round two of the competition was their first in three years - hardly a record to gloat about.

Unfortunately for the Cometz there has been plenty of discussion about reducing the number of the teams in the league - from nine to eight - and many are pointing their fingers at the Counties side.

The Cometz' case wasn't helped after a 80-29 loss to the Sting in round one.

"After our loss to the Sting everyone got on the bandwagon and said we should go,"said Chatterton, who shares the captaincy with Leonie Matoe.

"It was tough, but then when we beat the Shakers the following week it silenced a few people."

Chatterton admits it has been tough losing week in and week out. However, with four matches to go in this year's competition she is confident that under new coach Anna Noovao the Cometz can lift their performance and let someone else have a turn with the wooden spoon.

"We have had moments where we have played well, but then have let ourselves down with a lack of consistency. But I don't think you have seen us at our full potential yet.

She believes the main reason for the Cometz' dismal performance in recent years can be put down to one thing - a lack of experience.

Competing for players against the Auckland Diamonds, North Harbour's Force and the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic is "tough."

"There are definitely enough good players in the area. The problem is retaining them. I think a lot of people are looking to play in a better team, but if you look at a side like the Force ... they have so much talent on the bench.

"If we were taken out of the competition, how would players get experience at this level?"

Although consistency is something the Cometz often lack, Chatterton, a mid-court defender, performs almost faultlessly week in and week out.

A former New Zealand under-21 squad member, she would have no problem securing a position in another franchise, if she chose.

"I really enjoy playing for the Cometz. It is a bit like a family here.

"I enjoy helping out the young players coming through, and at least here I get court time."

Like most netballers, Chatterton started out in the sport when she was at primary school.

"I started playing when I was about eight," she said. "I actually began at goal shoot and played there for a couple of years before I became a utility player and fell into defence."

The Papakura under-17 side were the first representative team she made before landing a place in the Counties and Manukau under-21 team at the ripe old age of 15.

She then moved to Auckland and even had a stint with the Diamonds before heading back south.

And it is the Diamonds that the Cometz face tonight in Papatoetoe - their first of two matches this weekend.

"The Cometz have been a bit of a bogey team for the Diamonds in the past," Chatterton said.

"We have had some great battles with them."

The Cometz beat the Diamonds in 1999 and 2000, but the Diamonds have had the edge over their southern rivals the past two years.

"We will definitely have to shut down their midcourt of Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward. We have been using Angela Maoate [normally a shooter] at goal keep to give us a bit more height, but if we play consistently then we should be able to beat them."

The Cometz then have to front up against the Otago Rebels on Sunday, also in Papatoetoe.

In other round-six matches tonight, the Capital Shakers face the Western Flyers and the Canterbury Flames play the Southern Sting.

Tomorrow, the Force play the Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic at the North Shore Events Centre.

Inside track:

* Name: Roxanne Chatterton.

* Age: 23.

* Place of birth: Tasmania.

* Height: 1.71m.

* Positions: WD, GD.

* Career highlights:

2000 New Zealand under-21 squad; 2003 Cometz; 2002 Cometz; 2000 Diamonds; 1999 Cometz.